Best DVC for mom with limited mobility...will have ECV

[stacey_LI]

Which DVC resort would you recommend for us to stay at - mom has difficulty walking, gets fatigued easily, may want to hang at resort at times when my 12 year old daughter and I are rushing around like crazy disney fanatics.
She wants to have something to do on her own if she does stay at the resort. Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[wdrl]

I would vote for a DVC on the monorail loop near Magic Kingdom: BLT, PVB, or VGF. Its a bit easier using the monorail to get around when using an ECV than if you always have to use the Disney buses. Also, if you are staying at one of these three resorts, its easy to use the monorail to travel to the other two. Instead of being limited to hanging around just one resort, your mom could ride the monorail over to the other two and check out the sights.

 

[com_op_2000]

IMHO
BWV, GFV, and BLT would be the three I would choose first.
SSR, AKL, and VWl would be next. I have not "seen" PVB to have an opinion on that resort.
I would try and stay away from OKW unless you can get one of the buildings with an elevator.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I'd vote for either BCV or AKV-Jambo. Your Mom sounds like me on many days, and those are my favorite resorts. At BCV, she can sit in the Solarium or out in the rocking chairs reading a book or people watching. I find the backround music at BC sooo restful. At AKV, she can sit in the sunset lounge and watch the animals (or almost anywhere at AKV). AKV hallways are a little longer, but whenever I've requested "close to elevator", my request has been granted. Heck, one time they even put me right next to the elevator!

 

[disneynutz]

BWV, slower paced resort, easy access to boardwalk, YC, BC, Epcot, DHS via boat or path.

Bill

 

[goofy kc]

BWV, slower paced resort, easy access to boardwalk, YC, BC, Epcot, DHS via boat or path.

Bill

I agree!

 

[YourEveryDayAdam]

I'd throw a vote in for the monorail resorts...Monorail in an ECV is MUCH easier than the busses. Go for BLT, PVB, or GFV.

You have access to MK, Epcot, plus all of the monorail resorts which is tons of stuff to do! Once at Epcot, you could go through the International Gateway to the Boardwalk, Beach Club, Yacht Club, Swan, Dolphin resorts also. All without having to board a bus.

 

[summabreeze85]

my vote is for the poly, vgf or bwv...I think these 3 have the most things to do if you stay at the resort! The poly has the bonus of dole whip. so I'd say that is the clear winner.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

When my mother used to come with us before she passed away she really liked AKV - Jambo the best. We'd go out and watch the animals and wander around the resort. BWV was also a good one.

What size room are you getting? That might play a bit into my answer too. Regarding transportation - really with the buses that WDW has I wouldn't worry too much about staying at any of them with an ECV.

 

[disneynutz]

She will probably be spending most of her time at the resort. Away from crowds, peace and quiet is what most seniors enjoy. BWV has plenty to see and do on her own if she wants to venture out. If you can get a boardwalk view she might not even want to leave the room.

Using an ECV isn't fun, people don't see you, walk into you, in front of you and expect magically that you won't hit them. Buses she will need your help, the boat at boardwalk she can use on her own if she feels like it and she can just stay on the boat for a nice ride.

Taking the ECV out for a boardwalk round-a-bout can be fun. Plenty of things to see and the boardwalk path is wide and not crowded.

The monorail is a tight fit full of people and might be intimidating on her own.

Bill

 

[stacey_LI]

Thank you all for weighing in! We've been to the world before, and she mostly keeps up with us. We have stayed at Y&BC before as well as AKL. She preferred Y&BC, but we've never stayed at a monorail resort. I just don't know if the extra expense is worth it if she skips one morning in the park. The bus is not a big deal - last time I had the pleasure of riding the excuse on/off for her!

 

[stacey_LI]

Not excuse - ECV! (Stupid auto-spell)

 

[LSchrow]

my parents enjoyed the BWVs for many of the same attributes that your mom is looking for:
she can ride her ECV around the BW, shop, go to the bakery, watch the performers/carny games at night. and/or she can go to EPCOT or DHS if she feels the urge. and/or she can hang out on the BW itself, or in the gorgeous lobby, or on the back deck off the lobby - all perfect for reading, maybe making some new friends community hall rents out DVDs (free for DVC members), and usually has some books to borrow.

the BW has enough to do so she shouldn't feel stranded or bored, as well as good access for the park days.

 

[nalajms]

I would not pick VGF or PBV for the monorail options. VGF has 1 elevator and it's slow and small. I have a hard time maneuvering my double stroller. That's the elevator to get to the 2nd floor where the monorail is. PBV is similar, though they have 2 elevators. But the rooms seems like a hike to the main building. I guess if you're really far, you can go over to TTC.

And we really don't like taking the monorail to EPCOT. The walk is pretty laborious, while pushing 2 kids, going on and off the monorail ramps. I don't know if they'd let ECV take the short cut, but don't count on it. The last few times we've just taken the bus from Epcot back to our MK resort.

 

[SpaceMountain77]

I have now taken three DVC vacations to WDW with my mom, totaling over 30 days of limited mobility experience. Here are my two suggestions:

(1) It is much easier to use the monorail than bus. The ECV/wheelchair process is much more seamless with the monorail. If transportation is a concern, book at BLT, PVB or VGF.

(2) If transportation is not an issue, book at BCV or VWL. These two resorts are smaller and more manageable. Moreover, they both have a number of quite, relaxing spots for reading, people watching, etc.

 

[disneynutz]

I would not pick VGF or PBV for the monorail options. VGF has 1 elevator and it's slow and small. I have a hard time maneuvering my double stroller. That's the elevator to get to the 2nd floor where the monorail is. PBV is similar, though they have 2 elevators. But the rooms seems like a hike to the main building. I guess if you're really far, you can go over to TTC.

And we really don't like taking the monorail to EPCOT. The walk is pretty laborious, while pushing 2 kids, going on and off the monorail ramps. I don't know if they'd let ECV take the short cut, but don't count on it. The last few times we've just taken the bus from Epcot back to our MK resort.

GF has 2 sets of elevators. The glass elevator is the one that you are probably thinking of, across the main lobby is a bank of 2 or 3 more.

Bill

 

[Julylady]

My Mom uses a ECV while at Disney. Her favorite resorts are Boardwalk and Beach Club because she finds it easy to motor her way to both EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. Next would be Contemporary for the same reason. She refuses to take a bus with her vehicle due to the rudeness of other guests. She will take the Monorail, but only if someone is with her. She has taken it alone a couple of times where the CM "forgot" to note that an person needing help unloading was in the car. They need to put out a ramp for her and they didn't. She had to stay on until she could get someone's attention. She won't do that again.

 

[stacey_LI]

Thanks again to all! Deciding between VGF and BCV.

 

[ParrotBill]

If Mom likes EPCOT and DHS more, then choose BWV or BCV. If she likes MK better, choose GCV or any on the loop. Try to minimize buses... they are harder, slower to board, and more and more often are at capacity for ECVs or full of people so can't fit ECV.

 

[spiceycat]

hey would go to BLT - she doesn't need to get on a bus or monorail to get to the MK. now to get to Epcot she does. as far as getting up the ramp at TTC to epcot - generally go out the exit and go back up the EPcot monorail - instead of going the longer way (short cut???) - also at Epcot monorail there is elevator - you can't see it - so ask for it. Don't think there is one at TTC???